Today in History: The Opening of the Tappan Zee Bridge

By Y.M. Lowy

On December 15, 1955, the original Tappan Zee Bridge opened to traffic across the Hudson River, connecting South Nyack in Rockland County with Tarrytown in Westchester County. Stretching more than three miles, it quickly became a critical link in the New York State Thruway, carrying commuters and commerce across one of the river’s widest crossings and standing as a major engineering achievement of its time.

The name Tappan Zee became part of everyday life for generations of drivers, reflecting the region’s history. “Tappan” refers to the Indigenous people who once lived along the river, while “zee,” Dutch for sea, points to the area’s early European settlers.

By the early 2000s, the aging bridge no longer met modern safety and capacity needs. Construction on its replacement began in 2013, with the first span opening in August 2017 and the second in 2018. The new crossing carries Interstate 87 and 287 and includes paths for pedestrians and cyclists.

After completion, then-Governor Andrew Cuomo officially named the structure the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge in honor of his father. The name sparked ongoing debate, as many locals continue to call it the Tappan Zee Bridge and have pushed to restore the historic name. Several proposals to change it back have been introduced in the state legislature.

Nearly seven decades after the original opening, the bridge remains a sign of Hudson Valley’s continuing growth.

photo: Shutterstock